title: [Autoimmune pancreatitis : A systematic review].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autoimmune pancreatitis represents a recently described subset of chronic pancreatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine etiopathogenic features as well as histologic, morphologic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based on a review of all relevant studies published in the literature on autoimmune pancreatitis before august 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Autoimmune pancreatitis is now considered as the pancreatic manifestation of a systemic disorder that affects various organs, including the bile duct, retroperitoneum, kidney, and parotid and lachrymal glands. A dense lymphoplasmocytic infiltration with IgG4 positive plasma cells and fibrosis are the histological common feature of this systemic disease. Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare disease that occurs predominantly in elderly men. Its diagnosis is sometimes difficult and can mimic pancreatic cancer whereas its lesions respond so readily to steroids. Thus, diagnostic criteria where developed so that to provide a secure basis for diagnosis and avoid abusive pancreatic resections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since its individualization, interest in autoimmune pancreatitis has grown and many clinical aspects have been clarified.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastroentérologie A. Hôpital la Rabta, Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: Lamia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kallel
authors.forename: Narjess
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naija
authors.forename: Jalel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boubaker
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filali
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy